Once Broken Faith: October Daye, Book 10

Politics have never been October "Toby" Daye's strong suit. When she traveled to the Kingdom of Silences to prevent them from going to war with her home, the Kingdom of the Mists, she wasn't expecting to return with a cure for elf-shot and a whole new set of political headaches. Now the events she unwittingly set in motion could change the balance of modern Faerie forever, and she has been ordered to appear before a historic convocation of monarchs. Naturally, things have barely gotten underway when the first dead body shows up.

Curse on the Land: Soulwood, Book 2

Before Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she had no one to rely on, finding strength only in her arcane connection to the dark woods around her. But now she has friends in the newly formed PsyLED team to keep her grounded - even if being part of the agency responsible for policing paranormals comes with dangers of its own.

Magic Binds: Kate Daniels, Book 9

Mercenary Kate Daniels knows all too well that magic in post-Shift Atlanta is a dangerous business. But nothing she's faced could have prepared her for this.... Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar.... Kate's father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power.

Discount Armageddon: InCryptid, Book 1

The Price family has spent generations studying the monsters of the world, working to protect them from humanity - and humanity from them. Enter Verity Price. Despite being trained from birth as a cryptozoologist, she'd rather dance a tango than tangle with a demon, and is spending a year in Manhattan while she pursues her career in professional ballroom dance. Sounds pretty simple, right?

Blood of the Earth: Soulwood, Book 1

When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her. Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell's doorstep.

Indexing

For most people, the story of their lives is just that: the accumulation of time, encounters, and actions into a cohesive whole. But for an unfortunate few, that day-to-day existence is affected - perhaps infected is a better word - by memetic incursion: where fairy tale narratives become reality, often with disastrous results.

Legacy of the Demon: Kara Gillian, Book 8

Sidelined demon summoner Kara Gillian has her hands full when dimensional rifts allow demons to cause widespread panic and destruction on Earth. These aren't the human-tolerant summonables she's known before, but demons from the far reaches of the demon realm. Add three demonic lords with conflicting ambitions to the mix, and Kara has the perfect recipe for global disaster.

Annihilate: Hive Trilogy, Book 3

There are two things Charlie Bennett despises: bullies and vampires. Which in her experience, are really the same thing. After the battle with the Quorum, she's left with no other option. The vampires' rule must end. But when more shocking secrets are uncovered Charlie wonders if she'll be alive long enough to follow through with her plan.

Cast in Flight: Chronicles of Elantra, Book 12

Private Kaylin Neya already has Dragons and Barrani as roommates. Adding one injured, flightless Aerian to her household should be trivial. Sure, the Aerian is Sergeant Moran dar Carafel, but Kaylin's own sergeant is a Leontine, the definition of growly and fanged. She can handle one Aerian. But when a walk to the Halls of Law becomes a street-shattering magical assassination attempt on the sergeant, Kaylin discovers that it's not the guest who's going to be the problem.

Unraveled

As the current queen of the Ashland underworld, you would think that I, Gin Blanco, would know all about some secret society controlling things from behind the scenes. I might be the Spider, the city's most fearsome assassin, but all my Ice and Stone elemental magic hasn't done me a lick of good in learning more about the Circle. Despite my continued investigations, the trail's gone as cold as the coming winter.

Skinwalker: Jane Yellowrock, Book 1

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind-a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she's been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie's Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who's killing other vamps.

Veiled Threat: Highland Magic, Book 3

Integrity Taylor has regained possession of her ancestral lands - and inherited a whole host of new problems. The specter of what really happened to her parents is casting a shadow over everything, while Fomori demons are being sighted up and down the Highlands. It doesn't help that Aifric Moncrieffe still seems determined to see her dead, and emerald-eyed Byron remains stubbornly blind to his father's true nature. Integrity is determined to stay in control of her own destiny, however, even if it means confronting the darkness across the Veil yet again.

Schooled in Magic

Emily is a teenage girl pulled from our world into a world of magic and mystery by a necromancer who intends to sacrifice her to the dark gods. Rescued in the nick of time by an enigmatic sorcerer, she discovers that she possesses magical powers and must go to Whitehall School to learn how to master them. There, she learns that the locals believe she is a "Child of Destiny" - someone whose choices might save or damn their world, a title that earns her both friends and enemies.

Invasion: The Warrior Chronicles, Book 4

The Hunter was not trained to admit defeat. With the title of Chosen secured, Shanti and Cayan must look to the next steps in ripping back their freedom from the most deadly tyrant in the land. Unfortunately, they aren't the only ones with an agenda. Without mental power to defend themselves, the Westwood Lands are trapped within their own walls. Under the threat of torture and eventual death, a new power rises. To be discovered will mean death. But doing nothing is not an option.

Ancient Magic: Dragon's Gift: The Huntress, Book 1

Cass Clereaux is good at two things: finding treasure and killing demons. Lying low is a close third - but not because she wants to be good at hiding. Cass is a FireSoul, one of the unlucky few to inherit a piece of a dragon's soul. On the surface, the perks are sweet - she has the power to find and steal any type of magical treasure, including the powers of other supernaturals. But it doesn't come without a price; stealing powers requires that she kill, and others would destroy her if they discover what she is.

Burned by Magic: The Baine Chronicles, Book 1

In the city of Solantha, mages rule absolute, with shifters considered second-class citizens and humans something in between. No one outside the mage families are allowed to have magic, and anyone born with it must agree to have it stripped from them to avoid execution. Sunaya Baine, a shifter-mage hybrid, has managed to keep her unruly magic under wraps for the last 24 years.

Sparrow Hill Road: Ghost Stories, Book 1

Rose Marshall died in 1952 in Buckley Township, Michigan, run off the road by a man named Bobby Cross - a man who had sold his soul to live forever, and intended to use her death to pay the price of his immortality. Trouble was, he didn't ask Rose what she thought of the idea. It's been more than sixty years since that night, and she's still sixteen, and she's still running. It's been more than sixty years since that night, and she's still sixteen, and she's still running.

In this dark and gritty collection - featuring short stories from Jim Butcher, Seanan McGuire, Kevin J. Anderson, and Rob Thurman - nothing is as simple as black and white, light and dark, good and evil.... Unfortunately, that's exactly what makes it so easy to cross the line.

Rogues

Demon Accords number 10. When a hunter is brutally mauled in northern Maine, it's presumed that a black bear is the killer. But an astute local deputy suspects a more supernatural element. His call for assistance is answered by the supernatural community sending one of their very best. If it takes a thief to catch a thief, who do you use to catch a werewolf? But nothing is ever simple in the preternatural world. There's more here than meets the eye... nose... ear... or fang.

Siege: The Warrior Chronicles, Book 5

The land has become unnaturally quiet. It's as if everyone is waiting for some sign that Xandre can be beaten. That someone will stand up to him, and win. With Shanti calling the shots, and Cayan's battle know-how, it seems certain that the Chosen can be the catalyst. That they can lead the oppressed to freedom. But Xandre didn't become the Being Supreme by chance, and he doesn't intend for his rule to be stripped away so easily.

Exodus: Imp Series, Book 8

Aaru is at war. The rebel angels are calling for Sam's exclusion from the Ruling Council and her banishment to Hel. But Sam's isn't the only future at risk. If they're defeated, Gregory and his brothers will face exile, losing everything they've spent billions of years to build.

It was a dark and stormy knight, and nine dark defenders embarked upon a most perilous quest. They're the ultimate defenders of humanity, modern day knights who do dark deeds for all the right reasons. In this all-star collection, nine of today's hottest paranormal authors bring us thrilling, all-new stories of supernatural knights that are brimming with magic mystery and mayhem.

Study in Slaughter: Schooled in Magic, Book 3

Brimming with new ideas for magical research, Emily returns to Whitehall School for her second year of magical education, looking forward to returning to her studies. And yet things are different; her new roommates harbor their secrets, her old friends are becoming distracted by sports and games, and one of the teachers seems to dislike her. As she starts new classes, she discovers she has to work far harder to keep her place in the school. But her second year will be far more adventurous than her first.

Clean Sweep

On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast.

Publisher's Summary

The world of Faerie never disappeared: it merely went into hiding, continuing to exist parallel to our own. Secrecy is the key to Faerie’s survival—but no secret can be kept forever, and when the fae and mortal worlds collide, changelings are born. Half-human, half-fae, outsiders from birth, these second-class children of Faerie spend their lives fighting for the respect of their immortal relations. Or, in the case of October “Toby” Daye, rejecting it completely.

After getting burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the fae world, retreating into a “normal” life. Unfortunately for her, Faerie has other ideas. The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose, one of the secret regents of the San Francisco Bay Area, pulls Toby back into the fae world. Unable to resist Evening’s dying curse, which binds her to investigate, Toby is forced to resume her old position as knight errant to the Duke of Shadowed Hills and begin renewing old alliances that may prove her only hope of solving the mystery...before the curse catches up with her.

What the Critics Say

"Well researched, sharply told, highly atmospheric and as brutal as any pulp detective tale, this promising start to a new urban fantasy series is sure to appeal to fans of Jim Butcher or Kim Harrison." (Publishers Weekly)

I am currently on my third attempt to make it through this novel. I've put some thought into why Rosemary and Rue isn't working for me. I know that audible reviewers giving negative feedback are rarely appreciated, but here are my thoughts. It seems that McGuire has some fun ideas for her story line. In this case, however, they fall flat. From the opening scene, I found myself a little curious to see what would happen next but mostly completely unaffected by the main character. There is absolutely no character development and I kept thinking "Why is she doing this?" "Why should we care?" "Why so dramatic?" The narrator adds to this sense of blah. Its like watching a soap opera with monotone actors. You know there should be some drama in there somewhere, but can find it in the performance. I can only recommend this book if you are ready for a strange pity party. There are so many fun options in this genre. I would definitely recommend the Mercedes Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs, The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris or Stray by Rachel Vincent long before I sent you to Rosemary and Rue. Good reading

An amazing beginning to a wonderful series. A fairy tale for adults. McGuire does a great job building this world and giving characters some nice depth, without sacrificing action or a nice pace to the story. The narrator was very good and enhanced McGuire's work. Very entertaining. I have already downloaded the second book (A Local Habitation) and look forward to the third book which should be released in September.

This was the first book I bought from here ,I read all of them in a mouth I love October Daye the main lass of this tale ,a fairy detective with a fantastic group of friends and foes ,shes warm, smart, tough , kind and funny each sole has a story of there own and no one is forgotten I can not recommend this book and all that follow more please please give it a bash, I fell like I've found a new group of friends.I hope someone else has this pleasure .

The woman who reviewed Rosemary and Rue and had only negative things to say about Mary Robinette Kowal couldn't be more wrong. I'm so glad I ignored her comments and gave both McGuire and Kowal a chance. What a fantastic novel. I'm downloading the next two books in the series as I write this. If you like faerie mythology, suspense, and a good detective story, then you've got to give the October Daye books a try. I'm not easily impressed, but this series has enchanted me. The characterizations are fantastic, and I've never heard a narrator successfully engage so many different voices, personalities, and accents. I really felt as though the characters were alive as Kowal read. Toby Daye has won my heart. I hope this is only the beginning for Seanan McGuire. She's a gifted and imaginative writer.

The structure of Rosemary and Rue is very formulaic. Overall, the audiobook presents a great mythical journey set in a modern-day fairy tale. You get gripped from the first of Toby’s mishaps. Although, I truly connected with Toby on the second part of the audiobook, after the awesome car scene over the Golden Gate Bridge. I loved the fantastic elements in Rosemary and Rue, such as the kelpie, a large black horse with glowing red eyes that just happens to smell like the sea. The rose goblin, a kitty cat covered with rose thrones that rattles them when it gets upset, is adorable. It’s also nice to see a few more tales, tiger stripes, and fox ears on characters outside of anime. However, I had this terrible feeling of sadness throughout the audiobook. It seems like the universe is out to kick Toby when she’s down. Even the title itself is a terribly sad reference in the book that you only understand at the very end.

On Narration:
Mary Robinette Kowal reading was very appropriate for the character. The narrative voice is light and young-sounding, but with enough of an edge to pass for what I would consider the voice of a half-fairy, tiny, light, bounty-hunting kickass woman. My only criticism is that some of her more interesting or intricate accents, for Tybalt and Lilly, for example, require her to slow down her reading and enunciate very carefully, which does drag out certain parts.

First Thought when Finished: Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire had interesting characters but it took 70% of the book before anything happened. I am guessing the rest of the series is probably faster at getting to the point.

Read It File It: Ever had a book that overall didn't do much for you but you know that the rest of the series is probably right up your alley? That is me with Rosemary and Rue. While I spent most of the book just waiting for something to happen, once it did I was hooked. I am going to give book 2 a whirl. I have a feeling it will be a different experience.

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal /Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Mary did an excellent job with Rosemary and Rue. She was great with October. I felt like she was her. I will be continuing this series in audio.

Final Thoughts: Rosemary and Rue was a great world builder for this series!

I love this story and the characters. I read a couple of reviews that found fault with the narration and the audio, but I found Mary Robinette Kowal's voice to be wonderful, and her characterizations fun (well, most of them. I didn't enjoy her Lily.). Seanan's text - the story itself - is engrossing and entertaining, and I will definitely be buying the rest. I love this series, and MRK's voice will forever be Toby's voice in my head.

At first, I really didn't like the narrator, but grew accustomed to her voice. It helps that the story was so well done. This is a re-read for me, I did the series on my Kindle and have switched to audio for this re-read.

My only complaint is that I don't care for the vocalization of Tybalt. I hope the narrator changes the voice as the series (and his character) develops.

The narrator read the heroine rather mediocrely, without much variation, but her voices for all of the other characters were painful to listen to. Julie's voice was stilted and strange, almost like a bad impersonation of Shatner and the cheerleading coach from Glee on drugs. Her Japanese accent was horrible and so was her Irish...at least I think it was attempting to be Irish. Tybalt was ridiculous. All her character voices seemed so halting and slow, it didn't really make sense to me why she made that choice. The story itself didn't seem all that magical. All the realms of the Fae at your disposal, and they're out in San Francisco, without any history of how they all got there, or why. And she's a detective? Seems a bit unnecessary in the fairy world. Toby didn't make me care about her, maybe because she doesn't care about anything. She's just not likeable. She didn't really seem to try to get her family back, not even any attempted explanations. I'm only about half-way through, but I'm going to hang in there till the end and possibly amend this review.

Once again a book about the fey falls flat. But this time I'm pretty sure the reader is the problem. Mary Robinette Kowal does an adequate job of reading the story -- her voices, except for Lily, are decent, but there just isn't any intensity. The scenes where Toby is shot ect., are read with the same level of emotion as every other scene. Consequently, I felt nothing. It chugs along, but doesn't really entertain. I do have a feeling that reading this series would be a lot more interesting than listening to it.

Great listen. Cool, sassy, fast and sad. A very interesting take on a female fantasy character,She is no superhero, she is an understated woman with everyday worries caught between two worlds.
If you like fantasy, this is worth a listen. I will be listening to the next Toby Daye novel, can not wait to see how this great character progresses!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

susan

leeds, United Kingdom

3/22/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"You gotta love it"

Starting abruptly & with more politics than I have ever experienced irl this story may yet be one of the most amazing worlds I've ever experienced....I just wish the narrator didn't try so hard to do the accents because she's not great at them & it just winds up being kind of uncomfortable.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Eva

Dusseldorf, United Kingdom

2/27/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Love it!"

What other book might you compare Rosemary and Rue to, and why?

For sure an original to me so far. I love Seanan McGuire books. All I have read or listened to from her was well worked out, well written and original.

Which character – as performed by Mary Robinette Kowal – was your favourite?

This is a great narrator. All characters reflect that. I love to listen to her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I have listened to whole series before. I just love all scenes with King of Cats and Luidaeg of course, especially in later books.

Any additional comments?

These series are so worth the credit. I didn't want to sleep so I can keep on listening. Just love it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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